Author: ryan

Ryan Anderson (that's me!) is the editor & founder of MNBeer. Much has changed since the fall of 2005 and I'm proud to have been a part of it all. Sometime I'll tell you about my grand theory that links craft brewing to punk rock. Just ask.

Three Imperial Stouts on tap at Blue Nile tonight

By on November 30, 2007in bars/restaurants

Al puts it best:

Hey Gang,
Friday, I’m getting a keg of Expedition Stout, …and Darkness is still on, …and there’s that keg of Old Rasputin  that’s been waiting in the cooler for it’s turn on tap. So, what the hell, one night only, I’m going to have all three on tap at once, …have a flight, or a vertical, or a blindfold taste test, whatever you want to do.The Expediton and Ol’ Rasp, if they aren’t killed that night, will go back on later, but they will only all three be on tap together Friday. They are temporarily taking over the Summit annd Rush River spots. Time: whenever. The rb goes are coming at 6:30, but if anyone shows up for it at, say, 4:15, I’ll tap ’em then.

See ya,
cheers,
al

Minnesota Beer of the Month: Barley John’s Double IPA

By on November 30, 2007in brewpubs

First of all, many thanks to Colin over at Barley John’s for spending some of his evening with the MNBeer.com crew the other week. Everyone appreciated time, perspective and opinions. We also enjoyed the tour! Photos below.

The Minnesota Beer of the Month is a new feature to MNBeer.com. It’s not a competition, it isn’t “judged” per se, and it’s done purely out of fun. The only criteria is that we have to like it, and it has to be from Minnesota. Easy enough, eh? The purpose is to highlight a local beer and encourage our fine readers to give it a try.

With that in mind, our inaugural Minnesota Beer of the Month is Barley John’s Double IPA, a beer they describe as:

Big hop American Double IPA. Amarillo and Cascade hops bring in the classic American citrus flavors while the East Kent Goldings hops bring out the spirit of our Stockyard IPA. Paired with a strong and varied malt bill, this is an assertive yet balanced Double IPA. Dry hopped in the secondary fermentation to bring out a greater fresh hop flavor, this big beer is a great way to usher in the new season!

Their description is spot-on. This double IPA goes down like a single and has a nice pairing both English and American hops for an extremely balanced double IPA with just the right amount of everything. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if it’s one of the few double IPAs that we’ll see in brewpubs in the coming seasons.

Were there runner-ups? Hell yes. Are we going to share them with you? Nope. You’ll find them in your local liquor stores!

Drink Minnesota beer!

Colin Murphy, Barley John’s

Colin Mullen – deep in Barley John’s cellars

bj2.jpg

 

Dark Knight

That’s Dark Knight, friends.

 

McCann’s in St. Cloud Times

By on November 29, 2007in brewpubs

Here’s a small piece on St. Cloud’s newest brewpub, McCann’s Food and Brew. They open on Friday, though the beer brewed on site won’t be pouring until the brewery is good and legal. I’ll be sure to pay them a visit when it’s ready!

Winterfest Tickets

By on November 27, 2007in beer events, breweries, brewpubs

Tickets for Winterfest go on sale on Monday, December 3rd at 12 Noon. Tickets are $45 and only 550 tickets will be sold. As always, this event will sell out. Tickets willonly be available through Ticketworks.com.

This year, Winterfest will return to Landmark Center (75 West 5th Street – St. Paul) and will take place on Friday, February 8th from 7 – 10pm.

Big beers, here we come!

Surly Furious “Best Local Beer” in Mpls. St. Paul

By on November 26, 2007in breweries

I finally had a few minutes to browse my work copy of Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and low and behold, I find that they’ve chosen Surly Furious as “Best Local Beer.” Congratulations!

The best local beer also has the best name: Surly Furious. Brewed by Brooklyn Center’s Surly Brewing Company, Furious is a dark, hoppy, fragrant brew made with Golden Promise malt, the same stuff that’s used to make such fine scotches as The Macallan. It packs a punch, too, with 6 percent alcohol.

Congrat’s to Surly!